England’s route to Euro 2024 glory, fixtures and kick-off times with another near-miss predicted

England are among the favouries for glory at Euro 2024 – but will they finally end their long wait for major tournament silverware?

The Three Lions are in Group C alongside Denmark, Serbia and Slovenia and play their opening fixture against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday.

3

Gareth Southgate’s exciting young side came agonisingly close to going all the way at Euro 2020 as they were pipped to ... in a penalty shootout against Italy at Wembley Stadium.

But with England’s star players boasting more top-level experience together, they’ll be hoping to finish the job this time around.

Including England’s three group stage fixtures, they’ll need to come through a total of seven fixtures in Germany if they’re to claim Euro 2024 glory.

However, in doing so, Southgate’s side will have to overcome the challenge of Europe’s top footballing nations.

Here are details of England’s fixtures – and potential fixtures – in full, along with predicted results…

When are England’s Group C fixtures taking place at Euro 2024?

Sunday, June 16

Thursday, June 20

• Matchday Two: Denmark vs England (5pm) – Waldstadion, Frankfurt

Tuesday, June 25

• Matchday Three: England vs Slovenia (8pm) – RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne

Who and when will England play if they finish top of Group C?

Win Group C and England will face one of the best third-place sides from either Group D, E or F.

Round of 16: Sunday, June 30 – England vs Third-placed team from Group D, E or F

Quarter-finals: Saturday, July 6 – England vs Runner-up of Group A (Germany/Hungary/Scotland/Switzerland) or runner-up of Group B (Albania/Croatia/Italy/Spain)

Semi-finals: Wednesday, July 10 – England vs Winner of third quarter-final (France/Belgium)

Final: Sunday, July 14 – England vs Winner of first semi-final (Germany, Spain/ Portugal)

3

Who and when will England play if they finish runner-up in Group C?

Should England not top the group and come second, a daunting tie against Germany could well headline the Round of 16.

From there, Spain, Italy or Croatia would come next in the quarter-finals before Portugal or Netherlands in the semi-finals.

Round of 16: Saturday, June 29 – England vs Winner of Group A (Germany/Scotland/Hungary)

Quarter-finals: Friday, July 5 – England vs Winner of third round of 16 match (Croatia/Italy/Spain)

Semi-finals: Tuesday, July 9 – England vs Winner of second quarter-final (Portugal/Netherlands)

Final: Sunday July 14 – England vs Winner of second semi-final (France/Belgium)

Predicting England’s route to Euro 2024 glory

England fans are renowned for getting carried away, so the most objective method of predicting the Three Lions’ fortunes is based on FIFA’s latest world rankings.

With Southgate’s men currently ranked fourth in the world, they should have little trouble manoeuvring past Serbia (33rd), Denmark (21st) and Slovenia (57th) to top Group C.

Thereafter it gets messy, but essentially one of the third-placed teams from Groups D, E or F, would be England’s first knockout round opponent.

Based on this logic, England would face Austria, ranked 25th, in the Round of 16, after their third-placed finish in Group D qualifies them for the knockouts.

That then takes us into the quarter-finals where England would square off against a familiar foe in Italy in a repeat of the Euro 2020 final.

The rankings are on England’s side again here, with Italy sitting four slots lower in the pecking order in ninth.

We then progress to the dreaded semis where the worst happens: England meet world number two France and are eliminated on Les Bleus’ route to another international victory in the final vs. the Netherlands (7th).

3

So there you have it, another magnificent failure from England.

And while there’s no shame in losing in the semis to the eventual winners, it’s unlikely to appease the fans who ostensibly will accept nothing less than Southgate guiding Kane and co. to the trophy.

If England finish third in their group their fixtures won’t be decided until after the group stage is settled.

talkSPORT will bring you live commentary of EVERY game at Euro 2024. Tune in via the website here or the app here, and follow our live Euro 2024 blog for all the latest news, views and reaction to the big moments.